Help Us Lay, Ernesto D. Arevalo Sr., to Rest

What seemed to be an end to a fun day on the night of January, 12th, 2023, ended in turmoil. Ernesto went to bed only to wake up with a massive headache and elevated blood pressure. He was rushed to the local ER where he was seen and later transferred to the UCI Medical Center for a higher level of care. It was at the UCI Medical Center that they discovered Ernesto was experiencing a ruptured aneurysm. With four existing aneurysms, two on each side of his brain, it was just a matter of time before they all ruptured. His youngest son rushed to his side, and his eldest son was now driving in a panic from Jacksonville, Florida. Ernesto underwent emergency surgery to relieve the swelling and bleeding as much and as fast as they could. Three out of the four aneurysms were attainable and managed, but the fourth was inoperable due to its size, shape, and location. A portion of Ernesto's scalp had to be removed in an attempt to reduce swelling pressure.

Fast forward 48 hours, and both sons are now at his side with the hardest news they have ever had to endure. Their father, Ernesto's, left side of his brain was damaged beyond repair and was now in a coma and would never wake up the same person ever again. Ernesto's right side of the body would be in a vegetative state, he would no longer be able to recognize who he saw if he was able to open his eyes, he would no longer understand speech or know how to talk, he would feed through a feeding tube, and would be on a tracheotomy for the rest of his life; much more any other underlying conditions he also had that may cause added complications. With these factors in play, Ernesto's life was now at the fate of his sons who needed to decide whether to continue the aggressive life support treatments with the risk of another rupture or to start in-hospital hospice care to allow him to pass naturally.

After consulting with Ernesto's Neuro Team on what his best chances were, and collectively as a family, the choice for in-hospital hospice became the most rational decision as the sons didn't want their father to be suffering any longer. On Friday, January 20th, his life support was removed, and Ernesto passed peacefully with his 2 sons, 2 nieces, and future daughter-in-law by his side. As of today, Ernesto's body still resides at the morgue awaiting a mortuary.

Ernesto was a hard-working man who loved hard and would offer anything he could to anyone that asked him for help. He was not wealthy with material things, and life was not easy, to say the least. But he was content with loving his children and grandchildren, and one of his greatest joys was finally meeting his grandson, in the flesh, from Florida, this past summer. His pride and legacy are instilled in his sons.

He is survived by 2 sons, 3 step-children, 4 grandchildren, and his first wife. No matter how hard life got for him, he kept his head up, and gritted through with the motto, "that's just the way life is, it's ok." He was a free spirit who believed in doing right by others and being honest.

Our goal is to help his children raise money for his memorial and cremation services and to help get his 7-year-old grandson from Florida to say his last goodbyes. Anything will be greatly appreciated. Thank you everyone in advance for your kindness and understanding in this painful time.